Introducing AI to your tourism team (without freaking them out)

Introducing AI to Your Tourism Team (Without Freaking Them Out)

With hundreds or thousands of AI tools on the market, choosing the right one for your tourism business can feel overwhelming.

Most operators play it safe with something familiar like Microsoft Copilot, or ChatGPT and while it’s a decent start, it barely scratches the surface of what AI can do for tourism businesses.

In an industry where time is tight, staff are stretched, and guest expectations are higher than ever, AI isn’t just a shiny toy - it’s a tool that, when used properly, can transform the way your business runs.

So how do you introduce AI to your team in a way that gets buy-in, not burnout?

The key: start small, keep it human, and focus on real wins.

Step 1: Find the One Task Everyone Hates

Every tourism business has one. That repetitive, time-sucking task no one wants to do:

• Answering the same guest question over and over

• Manually updating availability or bookings

• Copying info across platforms

• Sending follow-up emails or chasing feedback

Start there.

Automate just one of those tasks with AI - and let your team see the time they get back. That’s when the light-bulb moment happens. 💡

Step 2: Choose a Tool That Works for You (Not Just the Flashiest One)

With so many AI tools flooding the market, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype — but tourism operators don’t need “shiny.” You need something that actually saves time, fits your workflow, and doesn’t create more headaches for your team.

When choosing a tool, ask yourself:

• Does it plug into what we already use? (Booking system, inbox, website, etc.)

• Is it solving a real problem — or creating a new one?

• Can my team learn it quickly and actually enjoy using it?

• Does it scale as we grow or change seasons?

• Is our data protected, and do we understand how it’s being used?

Don’t worry about what’s trending — focus on what’s practical.

The right AI tool should feel like a relief, not a project.

Step 3: Engage the Team From Day One

AI works best when your team feels like part of the process, not a casualty of it.

• Ask: What’s the most annoying part of your day?

• Test one AI tool together as a team

• Let a staff member “own” the rollout and become your internal expert

• Share early wins (time saved, fewer errors, better guest experience)

That’s how you create internal momentum and reduce resistance.

Step 4: Build Momentum, Not a Massive Overhaul

Once the first win is in place, your team will start asking, “What else can AI help with?”

From there, you can explore things like:

• AI Voice Assistants to answer guest calls when you’re out running tours

• Multi-channel chatbots that handle Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook in one place

• Automated follow-ups and guest communication workflows

Start small, prove the value, then expand.

Final Thought: Great AI Works Best With Great Humans

Tourism is still a people-first industry.

AI can’t replace your staff’s personality, passion, or product knowledge - but it can remove the manual tasks that drag them down.

Let AI be the quiet team member that works 24/7 behind the scenes — so your real team can focus on what they do best: delivering incredible guest experiences.

And if your current chatbot can’t answer phones, manage DMs, or reply while you’re out on tour...

We need to talk. 😉